Monument record MDO8114 - Wareham Castle

Motte and Bailey castle with evidence for an internal stone keep.

Castle (NR) (Site of) (1) The remains of Wareham Castle comprise a motte, 250ft total diameter and 120ft across the top; the appearance and dimensions are probably due to relatively recent work and especially to the building of the modern Castle Close house. The surrounding ditch, now mostly filled in, is best preserved to the south-south-west where it is now about 70ft across and 22ft deep below the top of the mound. Beyond the ditch on the north and north east sides the curve of the west part of West Street and of Trinity Lane probably indicates the line of the bailey. Massive stone foundations have been discovered at points along the probable line of the bailey and excavation by Clark (a) in 1952-3 have shown that the base of a stone keep, probably of early 12th century type, survives inside the mound; much 12th century pottery, and small finds were also discovered. The early history of the castle is difficult to determine since the early documentary references are confused by the description of Corfe Castle (SY 98 SE 30) as Wareham but there may have been a castle here soon after the Conquest. The castle figures prominently in 1138-42 but the date of its destruction is unknown. Plan. (2) (1-6) The site was excavated in 1950. (7) Excavation in 1950s revealed wall buttresses and foundations of a keep, interior infilled with demolition material - domestic rubbish including many shells and potsherds and an abundance of oak charcoal. Evaluation trench in 1999 revealed mortar bonded masonry at a depth of 1.2 to 1.5 m along with 12th to 13th century pottery, evidence of a robber trench and the backfill of 1950 excavation. Medieval pottery also found above the remains of the wall and the lack of artefacts or features post dating this suggest significant site disturbance (8)

Record last edited

Feb 5 2024 10:49AM